Conservation issues presented to the World Heritage Committee in 1999

Twenty-first session of the Committee (paragraph number VII.44) Twenty-second session of the Bureau (paragraph number V.13) Twenty-second session of the Committee (paragraph number VII.14)

New information: The UNESCO-ICOMOS-Butrint Foundation assessment mission (October 1997) proposed a programme of corrective measures that would contribute to securing and adequately planning and managing of the site.

In response, the Government of Albania has undertaken the following:

1) In August 1998, it created the Office for the World Heritage site of Butrinti for the coordination and implementation of actions at Butrinti;

2) On 19 June 1999, it declared the surroundings of Butrinti as a "National Park" in order to prevent illegal and inadequate developments; it is foreseen that the extended area will be incorporated in an even bigger Butrint Park;

3) The Government, in collaboration with the Butrint Foundation, is developing a Master Plan for the extended site and specific research has been undertaken on the preservation of the baptistery;

4) On 1 July 1999, the Government submitted a request for the extension of the World Heritage site. This proposal is inscribed on the agenda of the twenty-third extraordinary session of the Bureau.

As to the implementation of the immediate actions identified by the mission, the status is as follows:

Immediate action

Status

Amount allocated

(US$)

1. Inventory of archaeological objects

Contract No. 700 569.8 with National Commission (Nat.Com.) on 22/06/1998. In implementation.

5,000

2. Reinstall water pumps

Contract No. 700 540.9 with Nat.Com. on 29/09/1998. In implementation.

13,500

3. Protective fence

Contract No. 700 639.9 with Nat.Com. on 29/09/1998. In implementation.

7,100

4. Ticket office at entrance

At request of Government changed for sanitary facilities. Contract No. 700 728.9 with Nat.Com. on 24/02/1999. In implementation.

15,600

5. Surveillance by police

-­

6. Prevent illegal construction in surroundings.

Extended area protected under national law and proposed for World Heritage listing (extension).

-­

7. Information and awareness building

No proposals received from national authorities.

10,000

8. Expert advice

Missions were undertaken by ICOMOS expert and WHC staff to advice on management and extension.

5,000

Total amount committed

56,200

For the allocation of the remaining amount of US$ 43,800, several possible actions have been discussed with the authorities (National Commission, Institute for Monuments and Institute for Archaeology), e.g. the consolidation of the museum building, publication of a list of stolen archaeological objects. However, no proposals have been received to date.

Decisions adopted by the Committee in 1999

Adopted

Draft Decision

23 COM VIII.C.2

Extension: Butrint (Albania)

Property: Butrint

Id. N°: 570 Bis

State Party: Albania

Criteria: C (iii)

ICOMOS expressed its concern that tourism developments in a small area on the coast, excluded from the proposed extension, could have a disastrous impact on the site. ICOMOS, therefore, strongly recommended that this area be included in the protected area.

The Committee decided to extend the property under the existing criterion (iii) under the condition that the excluded area would be included in the zone of the proposed enlargement.

The Delegate of Italy offered the interest of his Government to support the Albanian Government in the preparation and implementation of the management plan for the site.

23 COM X.A.14

SOC: Butrint (Albania)

X.14 Butrint (Albania)

In response to the UNESCO-ICOMOS-Butrint Foundation assessment mission (October 1997), the Government of Albania has taken important decisions to strengthen management, planning and protection for the site. In August 1998, it created the Office for the World Heritage site of Butrint, for the coordination and implementation of actions at Butrint. In June 1999, it declared the surroundings of Butrint as a "National Park" in order to prevent illegal and inadequate developments; it is foreseen that the extended area will be incorporated in an even bigger Butrint Park. The Government, in collaboration with the Butrint Foundation, is developing a Master Plan for the extended site and specific research has been undertaken on the preservation of the baptistery. Finally, in July 1999, the Government submitted a request for the extension of the World Heritage site for examination by the Committee at its twentythird session.

The Secretariat presented a report on the implementation of the emergency assistance of US$ 100,000. This assistance had been committed for more than fifty percent and additional proposals had been submitted by the State Party.

The Committee took note of the progress made in the implementation of the programme of corrective measures for the World Heritage site of Butrint. It commended the Government of Albania for its important decisions to expand the protected area and to introduce institutional, management and planning arrangements for the site. It particularly welcomed the proposal for the extension of the World Heritage site.

The Committee encouraged the State Party to pursue the implementation of the programme of corrective measures in response to the recommendations made by the UNESCOICOMOS- Butrint Foundation mission under the World Heritage Emergency Assistance allocated by the Committee at its twentyfirst session.

The Committee decided to retain the property in the List of World Heritage in Danger.

“The Committee takes note of the progress made in the implementation of the programme of corrective measures for the World Heritage site of Butrinti. It commends the Government of Albania for its important decisions to expand the protected area and to introduce institutional, management and planning arrangements for the site. It particularly welcomes the proposal for the extension of the World Heritage site.

The Committee encourages the State Party to pursue the implementation of the programme of corrective measures and to make further proposals for the implementation of actions that respond to the recommendations made by the UNESCO-ICOMOS-Butrint Foundation mission under the World Heritage Emergency Assistance allocated by the Committee at its twenty-first session.

The Committee decides to retain the property on the List of World Heritage in Danger.”

* :
The threats indicated are listed in alphabetical order; their order does not constitute a classification according to the importance of their impact on the property.
Furthermore, they are presented irrespective of the type of threat faced by the property, i.e. with specific and proven imminent danger (“ascertained danger”) or with threats which could have deleterious effects on the property’s Outstanding Universal Value (“potential danger”).